Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2021
Date/Time: June 8, 2020
About Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2021
Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW), hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, convenes policymakers, scientists, managers, business leaders, conservationists, educators, students, and members of the public to engage in dialogue and debate on significant issues that impact our ocean and Great Lakes and to propose innovative policies and partnerships to address these issues. The conference builds bridges, elevates key voices and thought leaders of different backgrounds, perspectives, and disciplines, and facilitates an exchange of ideas on how to keep our ocean and Great Lakes healthy and productive.
Why is CHOW 2021 focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice? CHOW is central to the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s work to sustain a healthy ocean and Great Lakes. Right before CHOW 2020, our Nation saw the senseless murder of George Floyd and police using tear-gas on peaceful protestors who were standing up against racism, prejudice and injustice. Systematic racism impacts our laws, our policies, and our institutions. As an organization, we asked: how can we make a difference? And one part of the answer is to focus CHOW 2021 on how to address racial equity and justice in ocean conservation, science and policy-making.
The health and sustainability of our ocean and Great Lakes depend on all people and the actions we take now will have sweeping long term impacts. Our success will require the experience, expertise, perspectives and values of the communities most affected by environmental change and quality. CHOW 2021 will examine how exclusionary practices and systemic racism impact conservation, science, and policy; and, how strengthening diversity, equity, inclusion and justice will improve the sustainability of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.